Winter in Uzbekistan can be a time for both adventure and scenic urban retreats. Enjoy winter sun while carving up the deep snow on Tian Shan peaks, a mountain range forming part of a huge system that stretches across Central Asia.

At 3,000 metres above sea level, with the Himalayas on one side and Siberia on the other, Tian Shan offers unmatched conditions and top-quality runs for skiers and snowboarders of all levels. Tian Shan resorts lie less than two hours’ drive from Tashkent, such as the modern Amirsoy Resort, where tubing and snowshoeing trails provide fun for families and beginners.

The ski resort area of Zaamin is another family-friendly highlight. Nicknamed “Uzbek Switzerland” owing to its magnificent mountain views and fresh, health-enhancing air, Zaamin has attractions for all seasons, stretching to Beldersay Resort, where advanced pistes and new ecological attractions continue to develop.

The ski season runs from December to March but there are many reasons to visit Tian Shan throughout the year. Summertime, especially, is the time for touring and trekking, with guided climbs over Beldersay Gorge to uncover petroglyphs carved with prehistoric hunting scenes.

Beyond skiing holidays, Uzbekistan’s famous Silk Road cities will charm you with quieter winter pursuits. In Samarkand and Bukhara, explore rich cultural heritage, centuries-old architecture and bustling bazaars with fewer crowds, before retreating to a chaikhana (teahouse) to warm up under blankets and indulge in hot tea and sweets.